The Westpac Outstanding Women Award (shortened to WOW Award) recognizes exceptional professional work of women in Papua New Guinea.[1] Since its inception in 2006,[2] when it was called the Westpac Women in Business Award,[3] the Award has recognized the achievements of individual women in multiple categories. Each category awardee then becomes a finalist for the overall WOW Award.[4] In the face of acknowledged gender inequity in the country,[5][6][1][7] the WOW Awards call attention to the crucial and highly skilled work done by women across a number of sectors.[8] The winner of the WOW Award receives a grant to pursue a formal education, professional mentoring, opportunities for professional learning and networking at an Australian Executive Women's Leadership symposium, and a cash prize.[9] The WOW Awards support the belief that investment in women leads to stronger economic outcomes for a nation as a whole, and strives to provide role models for the girls and women of the country.[1][4]
Prize categories
editThe number of categories in which women are recognized has expanded over the years:
Original categories
edit- Public Sector Award
- Entrepreneurship Award
- Private Sector Award
- Community Responsibility Award
- Young Achiever
- Westpac Women in Business Award[10] (changed in 2013 to Westpac Outstanding Women Award[3])
Categories added in 2015
edit- Sports Award
- Not for Profit Award[11]
Sponsorship
editWestpac Papua New Guinea, a subsidiary of Westpac Banking Corporation of Australia, is the primary sponsor and organizer of the award.[1]
Other companies have joined in sponsoring one or more awards over the years.[12][13][14][15][16][11][17] Typically, these companies contribute cash to sponsor a prize for the finalist in each category, which supports those finalists in continuing their work.[13][14][15]
Selection of recipients
editThe WOW Awards extend a call for nominations each year, and filed an average of 70-80 nominations annually.[1] In 2016, there were over 100 nominations.[18] From among these nominations, a judging panel composed of representatives from Westpac, high-level sponsors, and the community picks a first round of finalists.[19][9][17] Judges interview each finalist to assess their: capacity to lead, influence, and inspire others in pursuit of challenging goals; record of operating with integrity and good governance; achievement in appropriate areas, such as school, sports, or professional activities; and personal and professional values.[17] Ultimately, the panel selects one finalist per category, and from among these nominees select the overall Westpac Outstanding Woman Awardee.
Award recipients
edit| Year | Award | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-2008 | Young Achievers | Samantha Maria Andreas[20][21] |
| 2009 | Overall Westpac Women in Business Award | Betty Higgins[17] |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Sector Award | Mary Handen[22][17] | |
| Daltron Entrepreneur Award winner | Betty Higgins[17] | |
| Cardno Acil Public Sector Award | Dr. Rona Nebita Nadile[17] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Tessie Soi[17] | |
| IBBM Young Achievers’ Award | Monica Pomat[17] | |
| 2011 | Overall Westpac Women in Business Award | Sarah Haoda Todd[10] |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Sarah Haoda Todd[10] | |
| PricewaterHouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Award | Monica Toisenegila[10] | |
| Mineral Resource Development Co (MRDC) Public Sector Award | Naomi Faik-Simet[10] | |
| Young Achiever's Award | Sylvia Pascoe[10] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Rosemary Vartuam Sovek[10] | |
| 2012 | Overall Westpac Women in Business Award | Susil Nelson[23][24] |
| Steamship Public Sector Award | Eleina Butuna[24] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Helam Koaik[24] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Naime Tom[24] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Mary Pohei[24] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Florence Lou Willie[24] | |
| 2013 | Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award | Maria Linibi[25] |
| Steamship Public Sector Award | Dr Mobumo Kiromat[25] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Sarah Shelley[25] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Dorish Cheryl Mondo Mulas[25] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Maria Linibi[25] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Anthonia Apurel[25] | |
| 2014 | Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award | Lesieli Taviri[26] |
| Steamship Public Sector Award | Esther Roibete Apuahe[26] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Christina Josephine Cragnolini[26] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Mazzella Maniwavie[26] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Penny Sage-embo[26] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Lesieli Taviri[26] | |
| 2015 | Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award | Janet Sape[27] |
| Steamship Public Sector Award | Janet Sios[27] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Joyce Kiage[27] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Michelle Boyama[27] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Beverly Pambali-Piawu[27] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Janet Sape[27] | |
| Pacific Assurance Group Public Sector Award | Dr. Evelyn Lavu[27] | |
| Moore Printing Sport Award | Veitu Diro[27] | |
| 2016 | Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award | Bosa Togs[18] |
| Steamship Public Sector Award | Dorothy Lamin Koch-Waluta[18] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Rita Jaima Paru[18] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Jacqueline Joseph[18] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Annastascia Wanasawo[18] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Bosa Togs[18] | |
| Pacific Assurance Group Public Sector Award | Dr Lutty Amos[18] | |
| Moore Printing Sport Award | Julienne Leka-Maliaki[18] | |
| 2017-2018 | Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award | Ruth Jewels Kissam[28] |
| Precinct Public Sector Award | Mollina Mercy Kapal[28] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Dorothy Luana[28] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Crystal Kewe[28] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Ruth Kissam[28] | |
| Steamships Not For Profit Award | Priscilla Kevin[28] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Karo Lelai[28] | |
| Moore Printing Sport Award | Cybele Druma[28] | |
| 2019 | Overall Westpac Outstanding Women Award | Raylance Mesa[29] |
| ExxonMobil PNGLNG Public Sector Award | Betty Jacobs[29] | |
| SP Brewery Entrepreneur Award | Vani Nades[29] | |
| IBBM Young Achiever's Award | Raylance Mesa[29] | |
| Trukai Community Responsibility Award | Freda Yakio[29] | |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers Private and Corporate Sector Awards | Hillary Turnamur[29] | |
| Moore Printing Sport Award | Margaret Aka[29] | |
| Steamships Not For Profit Award | Petra Arfeae[29] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards into 12th Year – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ Spark, Ceridwen (2020). The New Port Moresby: Gender, Space, and Belonging in Urban Papua New Guinea. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-0824881801.
- ^ a b "WOW: It's on again this year". The National. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b "Westpac launches WOW awards for 2019". Post Courier. 2018-12-13. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ World Economic Forum (2019). "Global Gender Gap Report 2020" (PDF). World Economic Forum.
- ^ "| Human Development Reports". www.hdr.undp.org. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ Davidson, Helen (2013-07-19). "Papua New Guinea: a country suffering spiralling violence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "Westpac Outstanding Women Awards Announced". KTF. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ a b "Bank unveils 14 women finalists for awards". The National. 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Westpac names winners of WIB awards". The National. 2011-10-20. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b "Westpac announces 2015 women's awards". The National. 2015-07-27. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "11th Westpac Outstanding Women's Award – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ a b "WOW awards receive support". The National. 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ a b "SP gives K25,000 for women awards". Post Courier. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ a b Bauai, Gloria (2016-08-25). "SP Brewery backs Westpac's Entrepreneur Award". Loop PNG. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "Raylance scoops overall WOW award 2019". Post Courier. 2019-03-10. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kewei, Cynthia (2009-10-23). "Women shine at the 2009 Westpac Women in Business Awards" (PDF). Westpac.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "WOW Awards winners for 2016". Loop PNG. 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ "Westpac Outstanding Women Awards". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ Ok Tedi Mining (2008). "Annual Review 2008" (PDF). Ok Tedi Mining.
- ^ UK in the South Pacific (2019-08-15). "Congratulations Ms. Samantha Maria Andreas, on your #Chevening scholarship". Facebook.
- ^ "Mother inspires daughters". The National. 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ "Express Niugini: Westpac honours PNG women". Express Niugini. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "Nelson wins Westpac WiB award". The National. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "Women's agro rep wins WOW award". The National. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "People moves: Virgin Australia, Departments of Treasury and Justice, Outstanding Women Awards". Business Advantage PNG. 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "2015 Westpac Outstanding Wowen Awards – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Women in ICT take out Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards!". PNG ICT Meri. 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "12th Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards – EMTV Online". Retrieved 2021-01-18.